Some cars that significantly predate the introduction of these emissions standards also meet the requirements.
However, you will need to obtain a certificate of compliance (CoC) from its manufacturer to register it as ULEZ– or CAZ-compliant.
However, even if your vehicle does fall outside of Euro 4 or Euro 6, you might still be able to avoid a charge, depending on what kind of vehicle it is and the type of CAZ that you wish to drive through.
Four types of CAZ exist, each of which targets different classes of vehicles. These are:
Class A, which targets buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs).
Class B, which targets buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs),
Class C, which targets buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and light goods vehicles (LGVs),
Class D, which targets buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs, LGVs and cars.
Most of the CAZs that are scheduled to be introduced in the UK are Class D, but cities such as Bath and Portsmouth will be Class C, so regular car drivers won’t have to pay.
Are disabled people exempt from clean air zone charges?
Currently exemptions for drivers with disabilities are set at a national level. That means that disabled passenger tax-class vehicles and disabled tax-class vehicles are exempt from all zones. However, discounts and exemptions for Blue Badge holders vary from area to area.
Either way, you will need to apply for exemption well in advance of entering the CAZ to allow your paperwork to be processed, else you will have to pay in the usual way or face a fine.
Which cities are introducing CAZs?
An increasing number of towns are considering introducing their own clean air zones. These include:
Basildon clean air zone: Plans for a clean air zone were abandoned on the basis of the time it would take to introduce one. Instead, a 50mph speed limit was introduced on part of the A127 to reduce emissions.